Types and classes of driver's licences in B.C.

• Semi-trailer trucks and all other motor vehicles or combinations of vehicles except motorcycle

Class 2 B.C. driver’s licence

• Buses, including school buses, special activity buses and special vehicles
• Trailers or towed vehicles may not exceed 4,600 kilograms except if the bus and trailers or towed vehicles do not have air brakes
• Any motor vehicle or combination of vehicles in Class 4

Class 3 B.C. driver’s licence

• Trucks with more than 2 axles, such as dump trucks and large tow trucks, but not including a bus that is being used to transport passengers
• Trailers may not exceed 4,600 kilograms except if the truck and trailers do not have air brakes
• A tow car towing a vehicle of any weight
• A mobile truck crane
• Any motor vehicle or combination of vehicles in Class 5

Class 4 (unrestricted) B.C. driver’s licence

• Buses with a maximum seating capacity of 25 persons (including the driver), including school buses, special activity buses and special vehicles used to transport people with disabilities
• Taxis and limousines
• Ambulances
• Any motor vehicle or combination of vehicles in Class 5

Class 4 (restricted) B.C. driver’s licence

• Taxis and limousines (up to 10 persons including the driver)
• Ambulances
• Special vehicles with a seating capacity of not more than 10 persons (including the driver) used to transport people with disabilities

Class 5 or 7 B.C. driver’s licence

• 2 axle vehicles including cars, vans, trucks and tow trucks
• Trailers or towed vehicles may not exceed 4,600 kilograms
• Motor homes (including those with more than 2 axles)
• Limited speed motorcycles** and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs)
• Passenger vehicles used as school buses with seating capacity of not more than 10 persons (including the driver)
• Construction vehicles
• Utility vehicles
• 3-wheeled vehicles - does not include 3-wheeled motorcycles (trikes) or motorcycle/sidecar combinations
• Does not include Class 4 vehicles or motorcycles

Class 6 or 8 B.C. driver’s licence

• Motorcycles, all-terrain cycles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs)
• See Motorcycle (have licence) or Motorcycle (1st licence)

Class 4 or 5 with heavy trailer endorsement (code 20) B.C. driver’s licence

• Trailers or towed vehicles exceeding 4,600 kilograms provided neither the truck nor trailer has air brakes
• Any motor vehicle or combination of vehicles in Class 5

Class 4 or 5 with house trailer endorsement (code 51) B.C. driver’s licence

• Recreational (house) trailers exceeding 4,600 kg, when the trailer or truck towing it does not have air brakes
• Any motor vehicle or combination of vehicles in Class 5

Apply for a house trailer endorsement »

** Limited-speed motorcycles – Any B.C. driver’s licence

Can be operated with any class of driver's licence. Learners require a Class 6 or Class 8 motorcycle learner’s licence. Where an original driver’s licence applicant intends to operate only a limited speed motorcycle, the applicant would apply for a class 5 or class 6 driver’s licenceor a class 7 or 8 learner’s licence. Upon qualification on the class 6 or 8 road test, conducted on a limited speed motorcycle, the applicant would be issued a class 6 or 8 licence with restrictions 13 “class 6 or 8 not permitted to carry passengers” and 51 “limited speed motorcycles only”.

A limited-speed motorcycle has:

• A motor with a piston displacement of 50 cc or less, or a power source that produces a maximum of 1.5 kW
• A power drive system that does not require clutching or shifting after the drive system is engaged
• A maximum speed of 70 km/h on level ground
• A maximum weight of 95 kg
• Wheels with a diameter of at least 254 mm